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That Time I Went To Hogwarts

One of the major highlights of my trip to London was what I got to do on March 31st. I got to fulfill another dream, I got to explore Leavesden Studio. (Better known as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.) Anyone who has spent any period of time with me knows what a shameless Harry Potter nerd I am. I will reiterate that fact, I am not ashamed. It is a brilliant series followed by fantastic movies that I love dearly. I took hundreds of pictures, and it was hard for me to pick my favorites, but here I’ve “narrowed it down” to the 100 pictures I think will give you a good idea of the amazing time I had seeing where they filmed my favorite series.

First things first, we were greeted outside the train station with this awesome double-decker chariot ready to take us to the studio.

The scale model of Hogwarts castle, what a beauty! And where they actually built it for the films.

A tribute to all those who worked on the films

That about sums up my experience at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, needless to say I loved every second of it! It was also fun to go with someone who loves Harry Potter just as much as I do, made the experience all the more enjoyable.

Seeing this is yet another thing I never thought in a million years I would actually be able to do. A year ago I spent my spring break of 2013 in Orlando, Florida. During this trip I was able to see Harry Potter World at Universal Studios, which was a great opportunity in and of itself, but I couldn’t have imagined that only a year later I would be in London exploring the studio where they actually filmed the movies. Harry Potter nerdiness aside, this is definitely one of those things that puts life into perspective for me. I always enjoy reflecting on where my life was a year ago, seeing how much it has changed in a mere 365 days. Spring 2013 and spring 2014 are worlds apart, they truly couldn’t be more different. One year ago I had hit a period of life that was very trying. This time one year ago studying abroad was a far off fantasy that I didn’t give real thought to. Now, only one year later, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m having a once in a lifetime experience. I’m doing the things I only ever dreamed of. I praise God for what it took to get me here. If it weren’t for the struggle I went through a year ago, I wouldn’t have had the motivation I needed to get me here. This experience means more to me than I can even put into words, and I won’t ever stop taking the time to say how immensely grateful I am to be living it.

“For in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let them swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud.” – J.K. Rowling